Born in 1961 in Heidenheim (Baden-Wuerttemberg) Education 1984-1989 Studies of Romance languages, history and political science at the University of Stuttgart and the Institut d'Etudes Politiques Paris MA (Stuttgart University) 1991-1994 Doctorate at the Freie Universität Berlin Topic: The European Cultural TV Channel ARTE Dr. phil. scl (FU Berlin) Career 1981-1982 Trainee at Augsburger Allgemeine Zeitung 1982-1984 Editor at Augsburger Allgemeine Zeitung 1990 Head of group for public relations, Konrad-Adenauer-Haus, Bonn 1995-1996 Spokeswoman for the City of Rüsselsheim 1996-2004 Member of the State Parliament of Baden-Württemberg 2001-2004 Vice-Chair of the CDU group in the State Parliament of Baden-Württemberg Since 1999 Member of Heidenheim district council Vice-Chair of the CDU Women's Union in Baden-Württemberg Member of the CDU Bureau in Baden-Württemberg Since 2001 Deputy District Chair of the CDU in Northern Württemberg District Chair of the CDU in Heidenheim Since 2004 Member of the European Parliament